IAVWOPSG-Memo/8

15/11/04

MEMORANDUM

Ref.:	AN 10/18.2
To:	Members, International Airways Volcano Watch Operations Group (IAVWOPSG)
From:	IAVWOPSG Secretary
Subject:	Follow-up of IAVWOPSG/1 Conclusions;

Dates and venue of the IAVWOPSG/2 Meeting
Action:	a)	note the information; and

b)	review the draft letter of agreement and submit comments at your earliest convenience, but not later than 15 December 2004.

First of all, I would like to invite you to visit the IAVWOPSG website in order to check the status of the follow-up of the conclusions from IAVWOPSG/1 Meeting and to note that all the letters to States and international organizations for which the Secretariat was responsible have been sent out.

As you may recall, in IAVWOPSG-Memo/6 the Secretariat called upon the members to designate one of the VAACs which would be responsible for preparing the progress report on the development of VEI/source matrix (IAVWOPSG/1 Conclusion 1/24 b) refers). In this regard, I am very pleased to inform you that Rene Servranckx (VAAC Montreal) has volunteered to undertake this work, supported by Peter Lechner (VAAC Wellington) and Takeshi Koisumi (VAAC Tokyo).

IAVWOPSG Conclusion 1/3 mandated the Secretariat to develop a sample letter of agreement between the States' meteorological authorities, ATS authorities and vulcanological observatories. In this regard, I am attaching a draft letter of agreement, drafted in general terms, that can be used (with minor adjustments) by the different States. I should be very grateful if you would review the draft and send me your comments/suggestions at your earliest convenience, but not later than 15 December 2004.

I would also like to thank you for the comments regarding the update of the Manual on Volcanic Ash, Radioactive Material and Toxic Chemical Clouds (Doc 9691). The amendment was sent out for editing and production at the beginning of November and it is expected to be issued early next year.

Furthermore, please note that an example of the standardized operational procedures for the coordination and transfer of responsibility between VAACs for volcanic ash events, (IAVWSG Conclusion 3/11 refers) has now been included as an Appendix to the Handbook on the International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW) — Operational Procedures and Contact List (Doc 9766). This lack of guidance was brought to our attention by Rene Servranckx. The updated Handbook is available on the IAVWOPSG website.

Finally, I am pleased to inform you that the second meeting of the IAVWOPSG will be held at the ICAO South American Office, Lima from 26 to 30 September 2005.

(signed by)

R. Romero

Secretary, IAVWOPSG

Enclosure:
Draft letter of agreement